KGI Staff

Aaron Clark, Director Korin Gamadji Institute

Raised in south west Victoria on Framlingham Mission, Aaron is a proud descendant from the Tjap Whurrung people of the Gunditjmara nation. Aaron has extensive experience in cultural expression across many platforms and a passion working with young people in leadership and mentoring programs. He has played a key role in the development of the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, and the Kirreet Barreet Art and Culture Centre in Ballarat.

Aaron has been a member of various Reconciliation Action Plan steering committees, including Carlton Football Club and Hostplus. Aaron has played a significant role in strengthening football pathways for Victorian Aboriginal Youth in his previous role as Indigenous Programs Manager for AFLVic. This has included extensive education for non-Indigenous people involved in the industry, and supporting off field development for the participants.

Michael Lacy, Head of Community

At Richmond, Michael works to develop Indigenous leadership and employment pathways through the Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute. He has successfully built the Club’s partnership with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, and worked extensively with culturally diverse communities and groups.

Michael has a background in teaching physical education and health, he is Co-Chair of Richmond’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and Chairs the Emerging Indigenous Executive Leadership Program working group.

Luke Murray, Indigenous Engagement Manager

Luke is a proud Wamba Wamba and Yorta Yorta man from the Murray River. He has worked extensively in the Aboriginal community since 14 years of age where he did his first work experience at Lake Condah Co-op now known as Windamara. Luke has primarily worked in Indigenous Education particularly in Higher Education with 12 year’s experience at the University of Melbourne and another 3 years at La Trobe University.

Currently Luke is the Indigenous Community Engagement Manager for the KGI Institute. Luke’s main role is to engage the local community in KGI program, events, activities and general use of the facility. Luke has two boys 6 and 9 and resides in Bendigo on Dja Dja Wurrung country the land of his Great Grandfather Sir Doug Nicholls. Luke believes that quality education is the key for Aboriginal self-determination and better quality of life.

Thara Brown, KGI Program Manager

Thara is a proud Koori women, born and raised in Kinglake and family from Echuca and Barmah, Yorta Yorta Country. She has a performing arts and education background and has taught in government secondary schools as a Health and PE teacher after completing a Bachelor of Applied Science and Graduate Diploma of Education at Victoria University.

Thara is passionate about Indigenous education and leadership and has been connected with KGI since it was first established, through her worked with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and KGI Programs including the Lagunta Sister’s Netball Program.

Tahlia Biggs, KGI Programs Coordinator

Tahlia is a proud Barkindji woman who grew up on the Wiradjuri and Dhudhuroa country of Albury/Wodonga.

She completed her schooling at Wodonga Senior Secondary College, graduating in 2015. Whilst completing her VCE she undertook a school-based traineeship with AFL-Sportsready at the National Australia Bank. At the 2014 Albury/Wodonga NAIDOC Awards Tahlia was recipient of the “Youth of the Year” award.

In 2017, Tahlia was the recipient of the Ricci Marks awards, a state wide award that recognises the achievements of indigenous youth in categories such as Leadership, Sport, Art, Academic, Training, Culture and Community. Tahlia began her KGI journey as a participant on the REAL program in December 2011. Since then she has come back to completed Phase 1 and 2, represented KGI at the Victorian Youth Parliament in 2014, and has completed a Certificate II in Indigenous leadership with the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre. She is now employed by KGI as the Program Coordinator, designing and delivering programs to Indigenous youth.

Tahlia is passionate empowering young people through education on the diversity of Aboriginal culture and breaking misconceptions. She has gained political experience through volunteering for her local member of parliament and she aspires to sit in the House of Representatives in Federal Parliament in the future.

Rana Hussain, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator

Rana Hussain is a Social Worker, Writer and Community representative. Having previously worked as a Primary School counsellor Rana took a sharp career turn to work in the AFL industry and is now the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at Richmond Football Club. Rana has always had a passion for footy and believes in football’s unique ability to connect communities.

Rana’s current work is centred around working with women, LGBTQI, multicultural and all abilities communities. Rana is the mother of a very savvy 2 year old and loves podcasts; making and listening to them.